Sponsored by
Friends and neighbors,
This week’s newsletter is about classic Naples’ scenes: boats pulling up for sunset dinners, and the latest fine dining promising sea-to-table and contemporary fusion.
I wanted to cover Amber Cove, formerly KC American Grill operating under new ownership in the Pavilion Shops, and it’s safe to say it’s going to be popular come this season. Between the scallops, the beet salad (yes, beet salad), and a killer dessert, it’ll be worth your while to get there soon.
On the other side of the dining spectrum, you’ve got me thinking a lot about dock-and-dine spots. I know your favorites, so I’ve covered a few more spots to give you new destinations or inspire you to revisit some you haven’t been to in a while.
And because I can’t resist a good local food debate, this week’s poll is all about pizza: who’s serving the best pie in Naples? Will my favorite take it away? Inquiring minds want to know.
Until next time,
Table of Contents
Dock & Dine: More Favorite Boat-Accessible Eateries
Pictured: The View from Crabby Lady
Few things beat gliding up to a dock, stepping ashore, and diving straight into a great meal or a cold drink while your boat bobs just feet away. Naples has a surprising number of dock-and-dine options. I know our readers love The Boathouse on Naples Bay and Snook Inn, but here’s some additional inspiration (including two that are technically in Goodland, but absolutely worth the trek).
1. Celebration Park
Set in the Bayshore Arts District, Celebration Park is like a floating fiesta in the heart of Naples. Pull your boat right up to their dock, grab a seat at the full-liquor waterfront bar, and pick from a rotating lineup of gourmet food trucks offering everything from seafood boils to Greek street food and truffle fries.
The atmosphere is loose and lively with live music seven days a week, shaded communal tables, and sunset cocktails with a view. We love the live bands and casual vibe, although some note that prices are steeper than you’d expect for food trucks.
Why go? Ideal for group outings or quick stops when you want variety. More options=less complaints. Bring the pup and don’t expect formal service.
2. Island Gypsy Café & Marina Bar
Anchored at Isles of Capri Marina, Island Gypsy is a longtime Naples favorite: part seafood joint, part island retreat. The star here is tropical charm, anchored by the actual stern of the 65-ft Island Gypsy boat embedded in the bar decor.
The menu, chock‑full of seafood with coconut shrimp, PEI mussels, tuna sashimi, macadamia-nut mahi mahi, always feels fresh. They make dock-and-dine feel easy, perfect for an easy lunch stop or sunset dinner.
Why go? For relaxed island atmosphere and solid seafood, without any fuss.
3. The Dock at Crayton Cove
A Naples institution since 1976, The Dock is the benchmark for waterfront dining. With four first-come slips, it’s very boat-friendly, just swing in and grab your spot.
This is the most elegant dock-and-dine option on this list. Fresh Gulf seafood, craft cocktails, and open-air terrace seating that feels elevated and not at all stuffy. They are also famously dog-friendly, and my favorite spot when stone crab is in season (off-season, get the grouper).
Why go? When you want that perfect balance of atmosphere, quality food, and a real sense of place. Great for date nights or nice family dinners.
4. Stan’s Idle Hour
A local staple with a no-fuss (read: rustic) spot with a reliable bar menu. Known for good burgers, coconut shrimp, scallops, and cocktails with generous pours, Stan’s is made for casual afternoons. Even in off-season, their Sunday Funday will draw a crowd with live music and palpable energy. It’s hard not to have a good time listening to music and sinking into a warm Sunday afternoon.
Why go? Great for groups, sports fans, or nights when you want hearty comfort food on the water without fuss. Right now, they are only open on Sundays, so plan accordingly.
5. Crabby Lady
Down in Goodland, Crabby Lady serves Old Florida vibes, complete with weathered docks, friendly regulars, and seafood so fresh you might see their fishermen bringing it in. The menu is simple but packed with favorites: seafood platters, crab balls, surf & turf, and key lime pie that locals swear by. Live music on weekends adds to the old-school vibe and boats up to around 50 feet can dock with ease.
Why go? Watch your dinner be brought in straight off the boat. It’s worth the trip if you want a fun weekend cruise with live music and a cold drink in hand.
Presented by Naples Florida Rentals: Your Dream Family Vacation Starts Here!
This is a great time of year, in August and September, to get a great bargain renting one of the homes from our sponsor.
Ready for your best vacation yet? Naples Florida Rentals offers an exclusive selection of beautifully maintained vacation homes, perfect for families (and your furry friends too!). Each property is thoughtfully cared for by our owner, Dana, guaranteeing cleanliness, comfort, and attention to every detail.
Why choose ordinary when you can experience exceptional? Join over 500 happy guests who've given Dana glowing 5-star reviews. Skip third-party fees by booking directly and discover the beauty, beaches, and charm of Naples.
Amber Cove: A New Shore-in Favorite?
This past May, Chef/Owner Keith Casey sold KC American Grill, and a new gem has opened in its place in the Pavilion Shops on Vanderbilt Beach Road. The new owner, Tim Herman (who brings hospitality chops from La Playa, The Venetian Las Vegas, and Caesar’s Palace, among others) has launched Amber Cove as a fine-dining restaurant that feels like a worthy successor. In just a few months, it’s already built a reputation for being a new favorite among our readers.
The space is now washed in deep navy tones in a sort of elegant nautical theme to the dining room. There’s a lovely, relaxed bar area that works just as well for a casual dinner as it does for a pre-dinner drink (ideal for those in need of a quiet glass of wine away from the main dining room).
Like many new fine-dining spots, Amber Cove promises the works of contemporary dining: heavily seasonal, “sea-to-table” cooking and a touch of global fusion. But here, the execution feels thoughtful rather than overdone. Yes, the plates are visually elegant. But freshness and technique are clearly the focus, and the result is food that feels both elevated and approachable.
The menu nods to a few favorites from KC (like the miso sea bass and grouper), but each comes with an Amber Cove twist. The seared diver scallops, paired with honeynut squash and a caper beurre blanc, are already a standout. So is the heirloom beet salad, a dish I didn’t expect to hear an inordinate amount of praise for.
Other highlights include a delicate crab-and-fishcake and a sautéed soft-shell crab, both lifted by sauces that balance heat and acidity. The chef’s grouper preparation is also exceptional and easily holds its own among the best of the best in Naples. And for those who prefer land over sea, the pork chop has gotten high praise and won’t feel second-tier in a seafood-heavy menu.
The wine list is refreshingly well-rounded, with most selections available by the glass, and the cocktail menu has coastal-inspired drinks that don’t try too hard. Service has been attentive and unhurried, which is easy to appreciate in the slower off-season.
Amber Cove comes in right around what I’ve come to expect in Naples fine-dining, with entrées running from $31–50, but the quality and attention to detail make it feel worth it. Come high season, I have no doubt it’ll be a tough reservation, so it’s worth checking out now while you can still grab a table without a wait.
Pro tip: Save room for the baklava cheesecake. Thank me later!
Amber Cove
885 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Naples, FL
Reservations: OpenTable
website
Here’s What You Said: Summer Dining?
Last week's poll asked:
When you go out to eat in summer, what matters most?
Here’s where you landed:
“Dining deals are great and they bring out the year-round resident but the menus are typically weak without great value. My interest lies in supporting local gems and making sure they survive and are still around when season returns!” – J. L.
“I love a good AC but supporting a local spot with good food is ideal. ” – L. M.
The summer dining deals are overwhelming, and an easy way to support our local gems but may not always serve what you want (or when you want it). I appreciated hearing from you and your love for keeping your favorites around.
This Week’s Poll: Favorite Pizza?
The problem with pizza is everyone has their preferred styles: thin-crust, New York, Neapolitan, etc. No matter the style, who makes your favorite pizza in Naples?
Why It Matters
Exploring these spots isn’t just about delicious meals—it's about savoring our local community, supporting the people behind these great restaurants, and creating memorable moments with friends and family.
Let’s keep Naples tasty and thriving!
Elizabeth Bellotti
Editor-In-Chief
Naples, Florida
The Naples Florida Review
P.S. - Check out our sponsor’s vacation homes, comfortable for you, your family, and even your pets. Find out why they currently have more than 500 reviews (all 5 stars!). For more information and to book that perfect vacation, click here.
Love reading The Naples Florida Review? Click here to share with your friends and family.
Advertise with us
Put your brand in front of 100,000 passionate Naples Florida Review readers. Let's partner.